Orange Juice With Plant Sterols

While you can go to your doctor and get a prescription for just about any health problem known to man, drugs have their disadvantages. More and more people today are looking for more natural (and safe) ways to improve their health. As Hippocrates said: "Let food be your medicine and medicine your food either." This is as true today as it was then. One of the best ways to improve your health is to improve your diet. But even if you think you eat well, you might miss some nutrients less well known but essential, such as plant sterols. Read on to learn more about plant sterols and how they can benefit your health contributing to lower your cholesterol. What are plant sterols? Plant sterols, also known as phytosterols, derived from plants. These substances are naturally occurring cholesterol from the factory. As humans rate cholesterol, then the plants. Human Factors and cholesterol plant is of paramount importance in maintaining good health. However, when cholesterol levels begin to exceed normal levels, they look good to bad in that high levels of LDL cholesterol can begin to harm the body by increasing the chances of heart disease. If you look under a microscope, plant sterols, are very similar to cholesterol in humans. They are present in fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, and most types of grain. Because of their health benefits, many manufacturers are now adding them to the heart healthy snacks and healthy foods. These include healthy foods such as chips made from whole grains, orange juice and margarine. How do plant sterols work in the body? sterols and stanols have a structure similar to cholesterol. They compete with cholesterol for access to the receptors of the small intestine called micelles. Micelles transport cholesterol through the intestine help in the bloodstream. Imagine 15 people all hoping to get a tour of Volkswagen Beetle their friend - not everyone will be in the car. The same thing occurs when plant sterols are introduced into the small intestine and cholesterol. Only so many can make a jump on the micelle and those who remain out of the body. More than 140 clinical studies have been conducted and have shown that sterols and stanols reduce LDL cholesterol levels of 5-14 percent. Although there are more more heart-healthy snacks and heart healthy foods available today, those who plant sterols (FDA meeting specific criteria) can sport a statement on the package indicating that they may help reduce risk of heart disease.

Health Services plant sterols Nearly a quarter of a century of research has shown that plant sterols can benefit your health in a multitude of ways. In addition to lowering cholesterol, some studies suggest they may also:

aec Help to reduce inflammation

aec Reverse abnormal immune system

aec Enjoy healthy cells

aec Assist in reconciling various hormones

aec Decrease in autoimmune responses of the body

Help aec Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

aec Helps reduce the symptoms associated with menopause

aec Reduce the symptoms associated with enlarged prostrate aec inhibiting the growth of certain types of cancer

aec Providing conditions such as asthma, gallstones, migraines and plant sterols How many are needed? If lowering cholesterol is your goal, experts recommend that to get the maximum benefits you should consume between 1.5 to 3 grams of plant sterols per day. To begin to see the benefits you need to consume a minimum of 0.8 grams per day. Most Americans get about 0.25 g per day of plant sterols in foods they eat today. Although it is difficult to get that amount of naturally heart healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, it is very possible, if you add foods fortified with plant sterols as the specific chip.